Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor taken seriously ill

Former Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has been taken seriously ill in hospital.

Bishop of Arundel and Bighton Richard Moth said in a statement on Satuday that Cardinal Vincent Nichols has sent a letter to all bishops calling for prayers for his precessor.

“These loving prayers are a source of great strength and comfort as he calmly ponders on all that lies ahead, all in God’s good time,” Cardinal Nichols wrote. “May the Lord strengthen him in faith and trust and may the prayers of the Church, which he loves so much, comfort and uphold him.”

Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton for nearly 23 years before being appointed Archbishop of Westminster in 2000.

Bishop Moth added: “As we all know, Cardinal Cormac holds this Diocese in great affection and will, I know, value the prayers of us all at this time.”